Gwadar Pro reported on Monday that China had played a big role in promoting the education sector in Pakistan, quoting Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal. "China is generously supporting Pakistan in the education sector," he said at the Paigham-e-Pakistan (Pakistan's Message) conference. He maintained that the government had increased the higher education budget by 68% under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).

"We have raised the budget from (Pakistani) Rs 23 billion and set a target of Rs 44 billion," he added. His remarks came a day after the government presented the federal budget worth Rs 9.5 trillion. The planning minister said that the government had the vision to establish at least one university in every district of the country. Iqbal remarked, "It is our duty to give opportunities to young people for higher education and skills so that they can contribute back to the economy." He announced a project to establish 250 vocational institutes across the country to provide better employment opportunities. Iqbal added that the government does not have "enough funds" to provide laptops to everyone. The merit-based procedure will be followed, he added.

Credit:
Independent News Pakistan-INP